DUBAI — Many residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are not receiving oral health care when they need it, according to a new survey from YouGov that was commissioned by Align Technology. The survey findings reveal that perceived high costs of dental care and dentistry not being included in health insurance were the main factors, limiting wider access to prompt oral care.

The survey reports that over the past 12 months, more than half (60%) of the respondents from the Kingdom did not receive adequate access to dental care when they needed it, with the costs associated being the leading reason (39%), followed by dental care not being included within respondent’s health insurance plan (35%). This is despite the fact that 71% of respondents reported a problem with their teeth or gums over the past year.

The research findings indicate that KSA residents feel reluctant to pay for dental care, even if they can comfortably afford it. However, most respondents (86%) said they would consult an oral health professional if their health insurance covered the visit. This is consistent with international studies that suggest insurance can play a key factor, associated with the ‘use’ and ‘non-use’ of dental care. The overarching finding of the survey is that access to dental care within health insurance coverage, even the most basic of allowances, could boost the likelihood of people protecting their health through regular dental visits.

With the goal of kick-starting a conversation about universal healthcare in the KSA and the wider Middle East region, the survey aims to drive greater awareness of the role dental and orthodontic procedures play as preventative measures to tackle prevalent health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

Markus Sebastian, SVP and MD of Align Technology EMEA, said: “Commissioning this oral hygiene survey in the Kingdom and the wider region underlines our commitment to understanding the market context, the sentiment and the aspirations of people regarding dental care. This will serve as a platform to build efficient communication strategies to accelerate, where needed, access to dental care, given its importance to a person’s overall health.”

He added: “The research highlighted a number of positive indications about the progressive healthcare in Saudi Arabia, something which the Kingdom can continue to raise the bar on, particularly given the survey’s finding that the inclusion of dental care as part of overall health insurance coverage — even the most basic of allowances — would help more people benefit from timely care.”

In addition to the cost factors involved, it was recorded that not enough people are having holistic conversations about their dental and overall health with dental healthcare professionals. For example, the survey found that just 53% of respondents had discussed the dental benefits of checking blood sugar levels with their dentist, despite the high prevalence of diabetes in the region and the important role good oral hygiene can play in managing the condition.

While this is a positive indication that conversations are moving in the right direction, it also underpins the need to educate communities further about the potential dangers of lifestyle diseases and their link to poor oral health. Once respondents were given more information about the links between oral health and other serious health issues, an overwhelming majority (89%) agreed that dental cover should be mandatory within their health insurance.

Dr. Mohammed Al Harbi, president of the Saudi Orthodontic Society, said: “At our society, we are dedicated to supporting public and legislative advocacy so that residents in the Kingdom have access to quality dental care. This survey, commissioned by Align Technology, has given us strong insights into some of the challenges our sector is facing in delivering timely oral care, which we believe is a key component of an individual’s well-being. While further research will be important to help shed further light on this important topic, the findings of the survey are a significant first step to help fuel discussions about the dental care legislative landscape in the Kingdom. Looking ahead, valuable insights like this will also help us to plan more constructively, to better serve our patients and communities, so that more people have more access to dental care when they need it.”

Reiterating the need for timely dental care, the survey also revealed that more than half of respondents (61%) have been made to feel at least occasionally embarrassed or self-conscious because of poor oral health in the past year. Feelings about poor oral hygiene also ran strong, with 40% of respondents feeling uncomfortable with hygiene in others, indicating the level of social stigma associated with poor oral health.

Moreover, the survey revealed that the majority of respondents — a generous 75% — enjoy some kind of dental coverage with their health insurance, which encouraged 67% of them to visit the dentist in the last 12 months.

Of those with dental insurance included in their packages, 53% are covered for SR3,000 or less, with only 17% being covered for more than SR5,000.

Remedial work, such as fillings and root canals topped the reasons for KSA respondents to visit their dentist (46%).

For 35% of KSA respondents, their last visit to an oral health professional had been for cleaning and polishing, while 26% had been for a check-up.

Less than half (49%) of respondents have had a conversation with an oral healthcare professional about the benefits of giving up smoking or other types of tobacco to improve dental health within the last 12 months.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral diseases are the most common noncommunicable diseases that may affect people throughout their lifetime. Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is the 11th most prevalent disease globally. Align Technology consistently works towards the creation of dental and orthodontic treatments that are patient-centric to foster a more positive and less painful patient experience.

A pioneer in path-breaking innovations in dental care, including the Invisalign system and iTero scanners, Align Technology brings the latest advances in digital dentistry with the use of 3D printing creating then opportunity for trained professionals across the world to enhance more than eight million people’s smiles in a gentle, non-invasive manner. — SG